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Experiences of healthcare professionals in cancer assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities: a literature review

Abdulla, Sam; Spassiani, Natasha

Authors



Abstract

Cancer is a leading underlying cause of death among people with learning disabilities, who are less likely to receive screening tests for the disease than those without learning disabilities. This article details a literature review that was undertaken to explore the experiences of general healthcare professionals in cancer assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities. Two broad themes were identified: capacity and consent; and workforce and systemic factors. Issues were identified in relation to staff attitudes and values, resilience, training and education, ineffective systems for tracking populations who may require additional support, and improper application of capacity and consent legislation. Further research is required to develop and enhance services and staff experiences, to improve cancer outcomes for this patient population.

Citation

Abdulla, S., & Spassiani, N. (2021). Experiences of healthcare professionals in cancer assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities: a literature review. Cancer Nursing Practice, https://doi.org/10.7748/cnp.2021.e1654

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 8, 2020
Online Publication Date Jan 1, 2021
Publication Date 2021
Deposit Date Feb 26, 2025
Journal Cancer Nursing Practice
Print ISSN 1475-4266
Electronic ISSN 2047-8933
Publisher RCN Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.7748/cnp.2021.e1654
Keywords accessible information, cancer, cancer screening, diagnostic overshadowing, learning disability, tumours
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4133706